“IN THE CENTER OF IRRESISTIBLE FORCES”: FIRST EDITION OF SKELTON’S CHARLES I, WITH COLOR FRONTISPIECE AND 23 PLATES

(CHARLES I) SKELTON, John. Charles I. London, Paris, Edinburgh: Goupil, 1898. Large quarto (10 by 13 inches), contemporary full red morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $2200.

First trade edition of this biography of Charles I, illustrated with color frontispiece, 23 splendid engraved plates, and beautiful illustrated chapter headings, beautifully bound by Riviere & Son.

A highly regarded historian, the Scottish-born Sir John Skelton was "a chivalrous defender" of his subjects, and a writer whose engaging style earned him considerable praise (Kunitz & Haycraft, 563). This posthumously published history of the controversial reign and execution of Charles I, issued a year after Skelton's death, ultimately characterizes the embattled king as a ruler trapped "in the center of irresistible forces" (177). Many of the plates are of splendid paintings after artists such as Vandyke, Oliver, Hoskins, Honthorst, Lely and Mytens—largely selected from the Royal Collections at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Featured are portraits of Charles I, Queen Henrietta, Oliver Cromwell, and a plate depicting the execution of Charles I, along with facsimile documents that include Charles' marriage agreement and his death warrant. First trade edition, preceded the same year by a limited edition of 500 copies.

A beautiful volume in fine condition.